Dr Parry said the growing gap between rich and poor was risking children's health and the recent scrapping of the target to end child poverty by 2020 by the Welsh Government should "worry us all".

She added: "We must show real leadership to prevent illness from the very start of life and promote good health and well-being across the whole of society.

"If we don't, we will fail a whole generation in Wales."

The report recommends extending the Welsh Government's Flying Start project to allow all children living in poverty the chance to access support.

In 2014-15, 37,260 children were involved in the project, which offers part-time childcare for under-fours.

While the number of children getting help from the Flying Start programme has increased, most are "still not receiving support".

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The report states there are 'particular challenges in Wales', including 'worrying' mental health figures and over a quarter of children classed as obese

Children living in poverty are at increased risk of poor health due to a range of issues, including mothers smoking during pregnancy, a poor diet and being more likely to drink, use drugs and smoke, the report stated.

Flying Start manager for Ceredigion, Rhian Rees, said getting the "right messages" across to families was the biggest challenge.

She said: "If we want to close the gaps between the children who are in our most deprived areas and not in our most deprived areas, we have to make sure that important messages are conveyed and that sometimes takes a bit more time and resources."

"The programme will ensure that inequalities linked to poor child health are further reduced by ensuring that we deliver a universal service to all children in Wales, with additional support provided in response to identified need."